MANG6095 Dissertation

Module Overview

The dissertation stage of your Master's programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your ability to create and investigate, on your own initiative, a text which demonstrates a Masters level understanding of a particular subject issue.

Module Details

CATS points:

60

ECTS points:

30

Level:

Level 7

Module Lead:

Thomas Chapman

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

To prepare you to undertake and submit a substantial piece of independent work. Preparation of a dissertation requires you to:
• Identify a suitable topic for study;
• Design and undertake an appropriate investigation strategy;
• Identify and access useful sources of information;
• Plan and manage an appropriate schedule of work;
• Liaise with your supervisor;
• Write a well presented dissertation.
Generally, you are encouraged to undertake an applied dissertation based on a particular organisation context or related to a generic management issue. Students are particularly encouraged to write a dissertation that is of direct interest to a current or future employer.
Dissertations can take a number of forms, for example:
• A critical review of an area of literature;
• Theoretical development of a technique or issues;
• Empirical work involving quantitative analysis of collected data;
• A survey of business practice in a particular context;
• A case-study of a particular firm or industry;
• Study of a particular problem in an organisation or industry.
You need to discuss what is appropriate with your supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

how to scope a study in your subject area, stating clear objectives for your study and ensure that the dissertation addresses these objectives;

how to use concepts/techniques/frameworks from one or more of your taught modules.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

present a clear, logical, and coherent line of argument throughout your dissertation;

demonstrate the ability to synthesise ideas and research findings.

ensure that your own ideas and analysis are a prominent part of your dissertation;

provide in depth, critical reflection in your analysis and discussion of results;

evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline;

evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;

demonstrate the ability to formulate and test new ideas from a variety of approaches and justify the foundation of those ideas;

demonstrate the ability to test ideas including the application of models as appropriate, using a variety of research designs, methodologies, measurements and techniques of analysis;

demonstrate the ability to present ideas and research findings in a well-structured and convincing way, as oral presentations or written papers;

demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and report a significant piece of research or creative work with at least some element of originality;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

demonstrate your ability to work independently, carry out and evaluate a research project relevant to a business context;

demonstrate the ability to interpret, conceptualise and critically evaluate the literature, and to relate it to practice as appropriate;

demonstrate independent judgement and critical self-awareness;

identify, set up and use a variety of learning strategies such as interactive and group work.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, at, or informed by, the forefront of your academic discipline or field of study.

Syllabus

Details of supervision processes, deadlines and handing-in processes will be clarified in the PG Dissertation Handbook supplied in February. A supervisor will be appointed in April; you are entitled to 6 hours of supervision which you must organise and complete by the 31 July when supervision ends. The dissertation must be handed in mid-September. In brief the process is described below; during the period April – September you will be required to:
• Identify a suitable topic for study;
• Design and undertake an appropriate investigation strategy;
• Complete the ERGO application and gain approval;
• Identify and access useful sources of information;
• Plan and manage an appropriate schedule of work;
• Liaise with your supervisor;
• Write a well presented dissertation.
Subject to the completion of the University’s Risk and Ethics procedures, students are encouraged to study international topics and may carry out fieldwork in overseas contexts.

Special Features

Some programmes offer students the opportunities to work on a business project with companies as a dissertation.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods include:
• Supervision (as detailed in Dissertation Handbook)
• Your Programme Leader/Supervisor may recommend attendance at other seminars or tutorials to aid the development of your topic

Type

Hours

Independent Study

594

Teaching

6

Total study time

600

Resources & Reading list

Excel. Software

Matlab. Software

SAS. Software

SPSS. Software

Bloomberg. Database

Eviews. Software

Stata. Software

Bank Scope. Database

Fame. Database

Endnotes. Software

Datastream. Database

Assessment

Formative

Supervision sessions

Summative

Method

Percentage contribution

Dissertation
(15000 words)

100%

Referral

Method

Percentage contribution

Dissertation
(15000 words)

100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Costs

Costs associated with this module

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:

Textbooks

Recommended texts for this module may be available in limited supply in the University Library and students may wish to purchase the mandatory/additional reading text as appropriate.

Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.